Katie Cook | Content Writer

When you spend as much time combing through content marketing blogs as I do, you start to notice a substantial regurgitation of advice from social media gurus. Pick five blogs at random and you’ll notice they’re all offering similar suggestions.

Why are so many blogs and feeds starting to feel like iterations of each other? It’s because coming up with goodideas is hard and we often turn to bloggers andinfluencers for ideas. The question remains: how can you create great content and engage in ways that make youstand out?

I propose that 2018 be the year of originality; of showing the world the real you. Research has shown that the more humanized the brand, the better. Whether you’re communicating on behalf of a brand or simply reppin’ yourself, the online world responds best to people and brands who let their humanity shine through.

So, here are my 5 tips for keepin’ it real on social media in 2018:

1. Original flavour:

Coming up with an originalblog topic ischallenging to say the least.If you’re drawing a blank:

• Take some time to do some keyword and hashtag research. Find out what your community is talking about and explore that subject from your unique perspective.

• Review your email inbox – have you received inquiries that need to be addressed? If one person has a question, it’s likely that others are searching for the same answer.

• Look through some of your old blog posts. Is there material that can be expanded upon or re-explored from a different angle?

• Don’t limit yourself to traditional written content! Consider a vlog, or try an image-focused piece. Compile a list of your favourite Instagrammers and explain why their images speak to you. Pro tip: This is a great way to engage influencers.

Remember: Quality trumps quantity.Too many writers are conditioned to churn out content for the sake of Google rankings.If we wrote everything based on pleasing an algorithm, we would sacrifice the emotional power of the written word.

Don’t get me wrong – you should use keywords in your writing but don’t weaken the emotional appeal of your work by trying to keep up with some kind of intense production precedent. I don’t know about you but I would rather read one awesomeblog post over ten that didn’t say anything new.

2. Offline realness:

When you spend enough time creating your online community, you really get to know your peeps. You wish them happy birthday and reply with funny GIFs to lift their spirits on a bad day, but when was the last time you tried to get to know them IRL?

In 2018, vow to strengthen these relationships by organizing get-togethers like Tweet Ups.Prove you’re even cooler than the person they know online.

Pro tip: when you get enough social media groups/influencers at one venue, somehow free beer starts to show up…just saying.

3. Represent yo’self:

Social media is supposed to serve as a window into our humanity but sometimes it feels more like an episode of Black Mirror. Fresh makeup, a perfect looking dinner, Insta-worthy holiday photos—we tend to post only the best parts of our lives on social media.

Filtering ourselves half to death,hiding our flawsfrom the world and leading others to believe our lives are nothing but sunshine and lollipopshas actually resulted ina psychological phenomenon, withseriously harmful effects. In this current state, what could be more original than doing the exact opposite?Share your real experiences; from a burnt Sunday roast to the run in your nylons. I’m not saying you should position yourself as some kind of hot mess, but I encourage sharing the things which make you human.

4. Check yo’self:

Audit your own online activity. Are you trying to be a star on every social network? If you really want to keep it real, think critically about what’s actually working for you – figure out your best platform and own it. Look at your data and insights to learn which posts served you well and which ones fell flat. Does your social persona match the real you? What about your Twitter bio? Is it still an accurate description of you? If not, update it.

Lastly, ask yourself: if I met an online community member IRL for the first time, would they agree that I behave and sound the same way as I do on social media? If not, you might need to check yourself.

5. Holla’ back:

Just like you, everyone in your community has a good reason for being there. Maybe they’re promoting their business, getting feedback on a particular topic or just looking to connect with like-minded individuals. Whatever the case, remember: in the social world, you get what you give. Take every opportunity to help those in your online community with their social endeavors. Lift them up and show them you care by participating in their polls and re-tweeting their best content. Be genuine in your mentions (if they look great in their new dress, say so) and respond to them when it’s clear they need some encouragement. There will come a day when you’ll need them to do the same for you. It takes a village…

Companies and individuals who take the H2H (human to human) approach are winning on social media. Everyone wants to produce original content and have authentic engagement online but unfortunately, many fail to keep it real. Producing original content requiresextra work and time; from re-thinking your blog topics to nurturing your online communities, but it’s worth it. Whenever you find yourself at a content impasse, just remember: the most original thing you can put out there is yourself.

Words of Wisdom From the Original AdMan

Lois was one of the original AdMen of the 60s. Considered a prodigy in the industry, It’s been said that he inspired the character of Don Draper on MadMen. You may remember him for the “I Want My MTV” campaign and the iconic Tommy Hilfiger branding. He’s been in the advertising business since 1959 and has seen it all. He offers up 120 of his best pieces of advice and he presents it in the most reader-friendly way possible.

A few of the things I liked about this book in particular:

He uses ‘real’ language. He writes the way he speaks: directly and with humour. He mixes slang with a bit of cursing, which give a refreshing air of authenticity (which this “geriatric millennial” loves!).

It hits you with the realities of agency life and does not sugarcoat the ad industry. Lois gives superb advice about how to survive and thrive and how to keep your ego in check.

Almost every other page contains a super concise case study. You get the chance to quickly learn about what clients want and what made his campaigns successful.

You’ll be able to finish this book in one day or less.

PICTURES. Written for creative marketers, Lois provides oodles of images from all kinds of campaigns over the last 45 years.

I don’t know about you but now that the days are longer and the weather is warmer, sitting on the patio with a glass of wine seems more appealing than… pretty much anything.

With everything that’s been going on in Alberta and all of the stress I’ve been experiencing in my daily job, I’ve really started to slack with my blog posts. I put on a brave face all day but when I get home at the end of the day, I feel drained. The last thing I feel like doing at 7pm is coming up with 500 words. Even though I’m a trained writer and used to pumping out stellar work for my clients under super tight deadlines, when it comes to writing for me, I’ve been running seriously low on fuel. Like, I’m on fumes.

So I’ve been asking myself (and others) what to do when the patio/wine combo starts trumping my creativity. Here’s a few ideas that I hope will help us both!

Write about what’s on your mind

It’s easier to write when the subject isn’t something you need to research. Take a thought that’s been circling around in your mind and explore it on paper.

When you’re writing for yourself – whether it’s as an outlet or just a way to keep your skills sharp, just remember you’re doing it to fulfill your own creative needs, no one else’s. If you want to write about the funny thing your cat did, who am I to judge? Don’t apologize for your muse.

Read

Reading gets your engines fired up. It builds vocabulary and it opens your mind to new perspectives. Read a few great blog posts, crack open a new book. Not only will reading help to inspire you to write, it also allows you some quiet time, which we all need to centre ourselves and tap into our creative side.

“Somehow the reading gear in your head turns the writing gear.”

-Steven Wright

Seek out creative activities

Go paint some pottery, attend a poetry reading. Visit a museum. Listen to new music. Absorbing the artistic works of others will help you to re(discover) your passion for your own craft.

Write about your own human experience

What did you do today? Did you learn something new? If so, let’s hear it! I’m not saying to go full-on ‘Dear Diary’ but I love to read about what’s happening in my friends’ lives. Perhaps you dined at a fantastic restaurant, why not give it a little review? Or maybe you had an interesting customer service experience. Tell us about it. This kind of subject matter will just get you writing.

Collaborate with another writer

Get the jump-start you need by making a commitment to co-write an article with one of your connections. It’s sort of like going to work out – it’s more fun with a friend! Committing to a project will also put a fire under your bum to get it done.

Give yourself a deadline

I think half of my problem is straight-up procrastination. I have a lot of things I want to write about but without a deadline, many of those ideas lay dormant in a note on my iPhone. Sometimes we honestly just need to give ourselves a deadline.

A few other suggestions from my network:

“I take a blank piece of paper (no lines) and I just write random nonsense that comes into my head. It gets all the junk out and I sometimes get really cool ideas from my uncensored mind!” – Julia

“Good ideas seem to come when you’re doing something else, so I keep a running Note in my phone and right down anything and everything whenever it comes to me. Then when you need help, you go back to it.” – Ashley

“Read an inspiring book or work out.” -@wolfeve

“I like to journal about my feelings – a lot of times I’m mentally exhausted from being distracted or upset over something in my life, and don’t realize it. Journaling helps clear that and can be a catalyst for creative inspiration.” – Jasmine

Now I’m really going to have to take my own advice and GET WRITING. No more running on fumes.

If the struggle is also real for any of you, I’d be happy to talk about how we can help each other along. Writers stick together!

There’s no two ways about it – Calgary is in trouble. With nearly 70,000 layoffs in Alberta throughout 2015 (and more to come), the drop in the price of oil, the weakening of the Loonie and recent changes in government, emotions are running very high in our city.

Whether you work in the Oil and Gas sector or not, it seems that everyone is feeling the trickle-down effect during these exceptionally challenging times. It’s tough in retail, food and beverage, the automotive industry and basically any luxury service. Everywhere you look, businesses are suffering and families are struggling to make ends meet. This downturn truly affects our spirit as Calgarians. When others are down, it’s easy for us to jump on the sad train. With the negative projections and all the doom and gloom, how do we get through this?

I’ve posed this question to Calgarians on social media. Here are a few of our combined suggestions:

Be more patient and understanding (not everything is going to go the way we want it to. People are doing their best)

Be kind! Remember that everyone is fighting this battle. Many are watching their business unravel or awaiting news about job cuts at their company. Kindness will be the biggest gift we can give one another.

Volunteer. Lend your talents to others.

Write to your MLA or MP and share your story with them. They take these letters seriously.

Support small, local businesses. Avoid the big conglomerates who will survive despite this downturn.

Provide referrals and word of mouth for businesses who have provided you with great service!

Donate to the food bank. Every little bit helps.

Remember that our furry friends also need help. Donate blankets, pet food and old crates to local animal rescue organizations.

Carpool.

Smile and say “hello” to those you pass on the street (that one’s from my Mom!)

Offer words of encouragement to business owners. Tell them what you like about their business.

Spread positivity!

Remember what “first world problems” are!

Remind ourselves daily of what we’re grateful for.

Something that we all have in common is concern for our loved ones and our beautiful city. Calgarians are resilient and we will get through this. Please take what you can from this list and show the world what Calgarians are made of! And, if nothing else, please just be kind.